“Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and by people of Mexican ancestry living in other places, especially the United States. The multi-day holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars called ofrendas, honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts. Visitors also leave possessions of the deceased at the graves. Dia de Los Muertos was inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.” (Wikipedia)
In Los Angeles, where about half of the population are Mexican or of Mexican descent, Dia de Los Muertos is a huge thing, with festivals happening in several areas of the city. I had never been to one, although I was fascinated by the concept, the rituals, the make up and costumes people wear, the vibrant colors and the spirit of the day. This year I found out that Santa Monica holds a celebration at its beautiful Woodlawn Cemetery, so I went. It’s a wonderful tradition and I loved everything about it. No wonder Mexicans are so proud of this tradition. Next year I hope to attend the festival at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, which is a mega event, with over 50,000 people attending.
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Quiet unusual festival. Reason and location. But I like the bursting contrast of red and black in some of your stunning images. Very cool series and thanks for the information, Angela.
Yes, it seems strange to us who come from cultures that associate death, the dead, and their resting place with loss and sadness. Because of their Aztec ancestry, Mexicans maintained the indigenous rituals mixing them with catholic rituals, resulting in this unique festivity on a day that is usually somber and sad. It requires a shift in our traditional way of dealing with death and the dead to appreciate it. I came to the conclusion that I’d be a happier dead person if I knew that once a year my friends and family celebrated my life with the things I loved than if they came to my grave and cried… 💃🏻💐 😉
Oh yes, I totally agree. I will become part of the landscape. Burial at sea. No grave at all. No reason for anybody to cry. 🙂
I will be cremated but have not yet decided if and where my ashes will be scattered. Probably around the Pacific.
Meet you in Iceland. 🙂
Deal! 😂